Surveillance and Evaluation

Data Resources

for Comprehensive 

Tobacco Control Programs

June 2014

National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

Office on Smoking and Health
Web site addresses of nonfederal organizations are provided solely as a service to readers. Provision of an 

address does not constitute an endorsement of this organization by CDC or the federal government, and 

none should be inferred. CDC is not responsible for the content of other organizations’ Web pages. 

Suggested citation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Surveillance and Evaluation Data Resources 

for Comprehensive Tobacco Control Programs. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 

National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health; 

2014.
i

Table of Contents

About This Book ....................................................................................................................................................................1

Table 1. National and State Surveys and Tools................................................................................................................3

Adult Tobacco Survey 

Alaska Native Adult Tobacco Survey

American Indian Adult Tobacco Survey 

Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System 

Hispanic/Latino Adult Tobacco Survey Guide 

Monitoring the Future 

National Adult Tobacco Survey 

National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 

National Health Interview Survey 

National Survey on Drug Use and Health 

National Youth Tobacco Survey 

Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System 

School Health Policies and Practices Study 

School Health Profiles 

Smoking-Attributable Morbidity, Mortality, and Economic Costs 

State Tobacco Activities Tracking and Evaluation System

Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey

Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System 

Youth Tobacco Survey 

Table 2. Registries and Vital Statistics............................................................................................................................11

National Program of Cancer Registries 

National Vital Statistics System 

Table 3. Topic-Specific Tools: Health Systems and Clinical Settings........................................................................12

Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set 

Hospital Discharge Data

National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey 

National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey 

National Mental Health Services Survey

National Quitline Data Warehouse 

National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services

Table 4. Topic-Specific Tools: Sales Data........................................................................................................................15

Food and Drug Administration Compliance Checks

Information Resources, Inc. 

Scanner Data

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 

Tax Revenue Data
ii

Table 5. Topic-Specific Tools: National, State, and Local Policy Tracking ..............................................................16

ACTIVE Life Tobacco Free Worksite Survey

American College Health Association College Campus Tobacco Cessation and Prevention Survey

American Lung Association’s State Legislated Actions on Tobacco Issues 

American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation: US Tobacco Control Laws Database

California Student Tobacco Survey 

California Tobacco Use Prevention Education Evaluation: Teacher Survey

CDC School Health Profiles 

Worksite and Restaurant Smoking Policy Questionnaires and Guide

Table 6. Topic-Specific Tools: Media Tracking..............................................................................................................19

Adobe SiteCatalyst

Arbitron

Cision

Clicktracks Optimizer

DataSift

Facebook Insights

Gnip

Google Analytics

HootSuite

Legacy Media Tracking Survey and Legacy Media Tracking Online 

LexisNexis

Nielsen

Pinterest

Radian6

Sysomos

Topsy

Webalyzer

YouTube Analytics

Table 7. Topic-Specific Tools: Tobacco Industry Monitoring.....................................................................................24

Network of the National Cancer Institute

New Product Watch, funded by Tobacco Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Evaluation

Project SMART Money of California State Department of Public Health

Retail Advertising Tobacco Survey 

University of California at San Francisco Tobacco Control Archives

Table 8. Global Surveys and Tools...................................................................................................................................25

Global Adult Tobacco Survey 

Global Health Professions Student Survey 

Global School Personnel Survey 

Global School-Based Student Health Survey 

Global Youth Tobacco Survey 

Abbreviations.......................................................................................................................................................................27
1

About This Book

Surveillance and Evaluation Data Resources is an at-a-glance compilation of surveillance and evaluation 

resources for comprehensive tobacco control programs. This booklet is meant to be used by program 

managers and evaluators in planning and evaluating tobacco control programs. Its primary objective is to 

provide basic information on each data source to assist state tobacco control programs to identify sources 

that can help with planning, monitoring, and evaluation. A discussion of when and how to use these 

resources is addressed in other evaluation workbooks and manuals such as Key Outcome Indicators for 

Evaluating Comprehensive Tobacco Control Programs and Introduction to Process Evaluation in Tobacco Use 

Prevention and Control, and during technical assistance events. These and other resources are available at 

http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/tobacco_control_programs/surveillance_evaluation/index.htm.

Users of this booklet are encouraged to review and assess the appropriateness of these resources in meeting 

their program’s needs. The data sources listed here provide a wide variety of tobacco-related information. For 

example, restaurant and worksite surveys address environmental policies and indicators; the Youth Tobacco 

Survey, Adult Tobacco Survey, and media evaluation surveys address individual knowledge, attitudes, and 

behaviors; and the cancer registries and hospital discharge records address health outcomes. Given that the 

field of tobacco control continues to evolve over time, it is not possible to provide an exhaustive summary of 

currently available data sources. Therefore, this booklet outlines only the most relevant and comprehensive 

resources available for achieving state tobacco control program objectives. 

Sources that are used frequently and are compatible across states are often employed to help states develop 

tobacco program objectives. Data from these sources can be used to compare program impact and 

outcomes with those of other states and the nation as a whole. Data from some of the listed resources are 

restricted and require purchase.

The data sources are organized by major categories: National and state surveys and tools, registries and 

vital statistics, topic-specific tools, and global surveys and tools. The columns in each table provide the 

following information: 

Column 1: Purpose

§	Purpose(s) of the data source or tool.

Column 2: Topics Addressed

§	Topics on which information is collected or available for the data source or tool, such as secondhand

smoke, tobacco use, knowledge and attitudes, tobacco-related policies, or quit attempts. 

Column 3: Sampling Frame and Data Collection

§	Population from which the sample is taken, such as high schools, all visitors to a Web site, or US adults.

§	Lead organization or agency for collecting and disseminating the data.

Column 4: Methodology

§	Subject selection: How the sample population was selected (for example, random sampling or census)

and the unit of analysis (for example, household, individual, or school).

§	Survey delivery: How the survey or tool was administered (for example, self-administered survey or inperson interview).

§	Number of core questions.

Column 5: Timing and Frequency

§	Year the survey or data source was first used.

§	How often the data source was used for data collection (for example, annually or periodically).

§	Notes on population characteristics, optional questions, and specifics of methods used.
2

Not all of the data sources or tools are available in every state. Consequently, some states may want to 

consider investing funds to develop systems to address gaps in data. CDC guidelines state

All federally funded tobacco prevention and con¬trol programs are expected to engage in strategic 

surveillance and program evaluation activities. To accomplish this, best practices dictate that 10% of 

total annual tobacco control program funds be allocated for surveillance and evaluation. 

It is important that tobacco control programs develop and maintain the appropriate infrastructure to 

enhance their surveillance and evaluation resources as needed. For example, conducting a detailed 

evaluation of a specific intervention, such as a cohort study to assess the effectiveness of a media 

campaign, can be resource intensive. Similarly, additional resources beyond the standard 10% of 

tobacco control program funds may also be required for developing increased technical capacity of 

local programs to perform process and outcome evaluation.”1

New data-collection systems should be relevant to specific state programmatic goals, objectives, and 

activities. However, prior to choosing data sources or investing program resources to develop new 

data systems, programs should consider some of the following issues: feasibility, timeliness, frequency, 

comparability, credibility, and available resources. 

For more information on these considerations, states are encouraged to contact their Office on Smoking 

and Health (OSH) Project Officer or access OSH’s surveillance and evaluation resources on the Centers 

for Disease Control and Prevention’s Web site at http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/tobacco_control_programs/

surveillance_evaluation/index.htm. 

1 Best Practices for Comprehensive Tobacco Control Programs—2014. Atlanta, GA: US Department of Health and Human Services; 

2014: 61. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/stateandcommunity/best_practices/index.htm. 
3

Table 1. National and State Surveys and Tools

Purpose Topics Addressed Sampling Frame and 

Data Collection Methodology Timing and Frequency

Adult Tobacco Survey (ATS) 

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/ss/ss5903.pdf

•	 To provide state-level 

data on adult tobacco 

use, knowledge, 

attitudes, and on tobacco 

use prevention and 

control policies.

•	 To provide state-level 

data on long-term, 

intermediate, and 

short-term indicators 

key to the design, 

implementation, 

and evaluation of 

comprehensive tobacco 

control programs.

•	 Cigarette, cigar, pipe, kretek, 

and smokeless tobacco use, 

secondhand smoke exposure, 

and policies. 

•	 Cessation behaviors/quit 

attempts.

•	 Health care advice.

•	 Parental involvement.

•	 Media exposure.

•	 Risk perception and social 

influences.

•	 Emerging product use.

•	 State level.

•	 Adults aged 18 years or 

older.

•	 Data collection: States, 

territories, districts.

•	 Random-digit-dialed 

landline and cellular 

telephone survey.

•	 Questionnaire 

template has 49 

questions for current 

smokers, 38 for 

former smokers, and 

34 for never smokers.

•	 State-added 

questions optional.

•	 Initiated in 1986.

•	 Frequency: 

Annually, 

dependent on 

funding.

Alaska Native Adult Tobacco Survey (AN ATS)

http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/surveys/alaska_native/index.htm

•	 To enable villages, 

communities, and other 

organizations to assess 

the knowledge, beliefs, 

and attitudes of tribal 

members about the use 

of commercial tobacco.

•	 Cigarette use and cessation.

•	 Use of other tobacco products 

(i.e., iqmik, chewing [spit], or 

snuff [dip] tobacco).

•	 Secondhand smoke exposure.

•	 Methods used in quit efforts.

•	 Workplace smoke-free policies.

•	 Knowledge and risk perceptions 

of tobacco use.

•	 Village and community 

level.

•	 Alaska Native adults 

aged 18 years or older.

•	 Data collection: Villages 

or communities.

•	 Census type, 

area-based sample 

or representative, 

random, populationbased sample, 

depending on village 

or community size.

•	 Culturally sensitive 

face-to-face 

interviewing.

•	 143 core questions.

•	 Village or 

community 

supplemental 

questions optional.

•	 Initiated in 2007.

•	 Frequency: 

Dependent on 

Alaska Native 

community 

interest.

American Indian Adult Tobacco Survey (AI ATS)

http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/surveys/american_indian/index.htm

•	 To enable tribes, tribal 

organizations, and other 

organizations to assess 

the knowledge, beliefs, 

and attitudes of tribal 

members about the use 

of commercial tobacco.

•	 Commercial cigarette use.

•	 Use of other tobacco products 

(i.e., pipe, chewing [spit], or 

snuff [dip] tobacco).

•	 Quit efforts.

•	 Methods used in quit efforts.

•	 Workplace policies on smoking.

•	 Secondhand smoke exposure.

•	 Knowledge and risk perceptions 

of commercial tobacco use.

•	 Tribal level.

•	 American Indian adults 

aged 18 years or older.

•	 Data collection: Tribes.

•	 Census type, area 

based sample or 

representative, 

random, populationbased sample, 

depending on tribe 

size.

•	 Culturally sensitive 

face-to-face 

interviewing.

•	 Tribal supplemental 

questions optional.

•	 160 core questions.

•	 Initiated in 2005.

•	 Frequency: 

Dependent on 

tribal interest.
4

Table 1. National and State Surveys and Tools

Purpose Topics Addressed Sampling Frame and 

Data Collection Methodology Timing and Frequency

Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) 

http://www.cdc.gov/brfss

•	 To provide descriptive 

data about health-related 

risk behaviors and 

events, chronic health 

conditions, and use of 

preventive services.

•	 The tobacco topics may vary by 

year and can include 

» Cigarette and smokeless 

tobacco use.

» Age of initiation. 

» Cessation behaviors. 

» Secondhand smoke policies 

and rules. 

•	 State level.

•	 Adults aged 18 years or 

older.

•	 Data collection: CDC.

•	 Random-digit-dialed 

landline and cellular 

telephone survey. 

•	 Core survey has five 

questions related to 

tobacco use.

•	 Optional modules for 

smoking cessation 

and secondhand 

smoke.

•	 Initiated in 1984.

•	 Frequency: 

Annually. 

Hispanic/Latino Adult Tobacco Survey Guide (H/L ATS)

http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/surveys/hispanic_latino_ats_guide/index.htm

•	 To measure the tobaccorelated behaviors, 

knowledge, attitudes, 

and opinions of Hispanic 

and Latino persons.

•	 General health.

•	 Tobacco use.

•	 Cessation.

•	 Secondhand smoke exposure.

•	 Risk perceptions, social 

influences, and demographics 

among Hispanic and Latino 

adults.

•	 All levels.

•	 Hispanic/Latino adults 

aged 18 years or older.

•	 Data collection: Institute 

that commissions the 

survey.

•	 Standard list-assisted, 

random-digit-dial 

or area sampling, 

depending on 

community size.

•	 Telephone interview 

or in-person 

interview in English 

or Spanish.

•	 56 core questions. 

•	 Questions reflect 

experience and 

language of 

Hispanic/Latino 

persons. 

•	 Spanish translation 

was carefully 

developed to be 

understood by 

Spanish-speakers 

from various 

countries of origin.

•	 Cognitively tested 

in Chicago, IL; Los 

Angeles, CA; Miami, 

FL; New York, NY; 

San Antonio, TX; 

El Paso, TX; and 

Washington, DC 

during 2004–2005.

•	 Initiated in 2002.

•	 Frequency: 

Dependent on 

interest.
5

Table 1. National and State Surveys and Tools

Purpose Topics Addressed Sampling Frame and 

Data Collection Methodology Timing and Frequency

Monitoring the Future (MTF) 

http://monitoringthefuture.org

•	 To provide annual 

data on behaviors, 

knowledge, attitudes, 

and values related to 

the use of an array of 

psychoactive substances, 

both illicit and licit, 

among American 

secondary school 

students, college 

students, and young 

adults.

•	 Cigarette use.

•	 Age of initiation.

•	 Cessation behavior.

•	 Brand preference.

•	 Youth access.

•	 Enforcement.

•	 Media awareness. 

•	 National level. 

•	 Students in grades 8, 

10, and 12, and young 

adults. 

•	 Data collection: 

National Institute on 

Drug Abuse.

•	 Random design, 

self-administered, 

school-based survey 

with follow-up 

survey mailed to 

cohort population.

•	 Number of questions: 

3 to 64.

•	 Initiated in 1975. 

•	 Frequency: 

Annually.

National Adult Tobacco Survey (NATS)

http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/surveys/nats

•	 To provide data on adult 

tobacco use, knowledge, 

attitudes, purchasing 

behaviors, and on 

tobacco use prevention 

and control policies.

•	 To provide national 

data on long-term, 

intermediate, and 

short-term indicators 

key to the design, 

implementation, 

and evaluation of 

comprehensive tobacco 

prevention and control 

programs.

•	 Cigarette, cigar, pipe, hookah, 

kretek, e-cigarette, chewing 

tobacco, and smokeless tobacco 

use.

•	 Susceptibility to cigarette 

smoking initiation.

•	 Secondhand smoke exposure 

and smoke-free policies.

•	 Cessation behaviors/quit 

attempts.

•	 Health care advice.

•	 Parental involvement.

•	 Media exposure.

•	 Risk perception and social 

influences.

•	 New products used.

•	 Knowledge, attitudes, and 

perceptions.

•	 National level.

•	 Noninstitutionalized 

adults aged 18 years or 

older.

•	 Data collection: CDC.

•	 Stratified, randomdigit-dialed landline 

and cellular 

telephone survey of 

adults.

•	 Interviews conducted 

in English and 

Spanish.

•	 130–150 maximum 

path core questions.

•	 Initiated in 2009.

•	 Frequency: 

2009–2010, 2012–

2013, 2013–2014.
6

Table 1. National and State Surveys and Tools

Purpose Topics Addressed Sampling Frame and 

Data Collection Methodology Timing and Frequency

National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes/about_nhanes.htm

•	 To estimate the 

proportion of persons in 

the US population and 

in designated subgroups 

with selected conditions, 

diseases, and risk factors.

•	 To monitor trends in the 

prevalence, treatment, 

and control of selected 

diseases.

•	 To explore relationships 

between diet, nutrition, 

and health.

•	 To explore emerging 

public health issues.

•	 To provide baseline 

health characteristics to 

link with mortality data 

from the National Death 

Index (http://www.cdc.

gov/nchs/ndi.htm) and 

other administrative 

records. 

•	 Cigarette use (current and 

former).

•	 Age of initiation.

•	 Brand preference.

•	 Current smokeless tobacco and 

e-cigarettes use.

•	 Secondhand smoke exposure 

shown by serum cotinine and 

urinary NNAL biomarkers, and 

by self-report.

•	 National level. 

•	 Noninstitutionalized 

civilian US population; 

individuals, all ages.

•	 Data collection: 

National Center for 

Health Statistics 

(NCHS).

•	 Complex, multistage 

cluster probability 

sample.

•	 Annual samples 

are nationally 

representative.

•	 Because of disclosure 

concerns and limited 

sample sizes, data 

are released in 2-year 

cycles.

•	 For small population 

groups and for less 

common diseases, 

conditions, and 

risk factors, several 

years of data may be 

needed to produce 

adequate estimates. 

•	 Household interview 

and physical 

measurements in 

mobile examination 

center.

•	 Initiated in early 

1960s.

•	 Frequency: 

Continuous since 

1999.

National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) 

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis.htm

NHIS Adult Tobacco Use: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis/tobacco.htm

•	 To monitor the health 

of the US civilian, 

noninstitutionalized 

population including 

For all ages:

» Health status.

» Activity limitations.

» Injuries.

» Health insurance 

coverage.

» Access and use of 

health care.

For adults (18+), 

additional information 

on:

» Health conditions.

» Activity limitations.

» Health behaviors.

» Access to and use of 

health care services.

•	 Tobacco topics covered annually:

» Cigarette smoking status.

» Number of cigarettes smoked 

per day.

» Age of initiation.

» Time since quit.

» Quit attempt in past year.

•	 Tobacco topics covered in 

supplements (selected years): 

» Non-cigarette smoked tobacco 

(i.e., cigars, pipes, etc.).

» Smokeless tobacco use. 

» Cessation methods.

» Secondhand smoke policies.

» Secondhand smoke exposure.

» Medical advice to quit.

» Pregnancy and smoking.

•	 National level.

•	 Full NHIS: All ages.

•	 Tobacco questions: Ages 

18+. 

•	 Data collection: NCHS.

•	 Multistage cluster 

sample design with 

oversampling of 

black, Hispanic, and 

Asian populations.

•	 In-person household 

interview with 

telephone follow-up.

•	 Annual core and 

periodic supplement 

(special topic) 

questionnaires. 

•	 Number of core 

questions: 8. 

•	 Initiated in 1957.

•	 Frequency: 

Continuous 

(annual data 

release).

•	 Cigarette smoking 

in selected years 

1964–1965 

(supplements) 

and annually since 

1997.

•	 Non-cigarette 

tobacco products 

in selected 

years since 1965 

(supplements).
7

Table 1. National and State Surveys and Tools

Purpose Topics Addressed Sampling Frame and 

Data Collection Methodology Timing and Frequency

National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH)

https://nsduhweb.rti.org

•	 To provide data on the 

use of tobacco, alcohol, 

illicit drugs (including 

nonmedical use of 

prescription drugs) and 

mental health in the 

United States.

•	 Previously known as 

National Household 

Survey on Drug Abuse 

(NHSDA).

•	 Cigarette, cigar, pipe, and 

smokeless tobacco use. 

•	 Age of initiation. 

•	 National and state level.

•	 Data collection: 

Substance Abuse 

and Mental Health 

Services Administration 

(SAMHSA).

•	 Multistage area 

probability sampling 

design.

•	 Household survey.

•	 People aged 12 or 

older. 

•	 Number of questions: 

6 to 12.

•	 Initiated in 1972.

•	 Frequency: 

Annually.

•	 Estimates 

produced from the 

1999, 2000, and 

2001 surveys are 

not comparable 

to those produced 

from the surveys in 

1998 and earlier. 

National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS)

http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/surveys/nyts/index.htm

•	 To provide national 

data on long-term, 

intermediate, and 

short-term indicators 

key to the design, 

implementation, and 

evaluation of the 

National Tobacco 

Control Program 

(NTCP).

•	 To offer nationally 

representative data 

about middle and high 

school youth’s tobaccorelated beliefs, attitudes, 

behaviors, and exposure 

to pro- and antitobacco 

influences.

•	 Health risk perception and 

attitudes.

•	 Tobacco use behaviors (i.e., 

cigarette initiation, current use 

of cigarette, cigar, smokeless 

tobacco, and other tobacco 

products, including e-cigarettes).

•	 Peer product usage.

•	 Quit attempts.

•	 Tobacco promotional items.

•	 Antitobacco ads.

•	 Health care advice.

•	 Tobacco in the media.

•	 Secondhand smoke.

•	 Minor access to tobacco.

•	 School curriculum.

•	 Smoking rules in home and 

vehicle.

•	 Experience at home and 

community.

•	 Use of tobacco products for 

people who live with minors.

•	 National level.

•	 Youth in grades 6–12.

•	 Data collection: CDC.

•	 Public and private 

schools.

•	 Schools are selected 

with a probability 

proportional to 

enrollment size.

•	 Classes randomly 

selected from each 

selected school that 

chose to participate.

•	 Self-administered 

paper and pencil 

survey in classroom.

•	 81 questions.

•	 Starting in 2011, 

during oddnumbered years, 

the NYTS focused 

more on the specific 

priorities of CDC/

OSH. During evennumbered years, it 

focused more on the 

specific priorities 

of FDA’s Center for 

Tobacco Products.

•	 Initiated in 1999.

•	 Frequency: 1999, 

2000, 2002, 2004, 

2006, 2009, 2011, 

2012, 2013.

Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) 

http://www.cdc.gov/prams/aboutprams.htm

•	 To provide ongoing 

population-based 

surveillance of selected 

maternal behaviors 

around the time of 

pregnancy, including 

tobacco use. 

•	 Cigarette use before and during 

pregnancy and in the child’s 

early infancy.

•	 Secondhand smoke exposure.

•	 Cessation counseling. 

•	 State level. 

•	 A sample of women 

who have had a recent 

live birth is drawn 

from the state’s birth 

certificate file.

•	 Data collection: States.

•	 Random design, 

mail survey with 

telephone follow-up.

•	 Number of questions: 

6 to 9.

•	 Initiated in 1987.

•	 Frequency: 

Annual. 

•	 This is an ongoing 

survey. Availability 

of data depends on 

when individual 

states began 

participating. 
8

Table 1. National and State Surveys and Tools

Purpose Topics Addressed Sampling Frame and 

Data Collection Methodology Timing and Frequency

School Health Policies and Practices Study (SHPPS)

http://www.cdc.gov/shpps 

•	 To assess school health 

policies and practices at 

the state, district, school, 

and classroom levels.

•	 Health education.

•	 Physical education.

•	 Health services.

•	 Mental health and social 

services.

•	 Nutrition services.

•	 Healthy and safe school 

environment.

•	 Faculty and staff health 

promotion.

•	 All 50 state education 

agencies, all school 

districts, all public and 

private schools, health 

and physical education 

classrooms.

•	 Data collection: CDC.

•	 Census of all 50 

state education 

agencies and a 

national sample of 

school districts that 

complete Web-based 

questionnaires. 

•	 National sample 

of schools and 

classrooms that 

respond to onsite structured 

interviews. 

•	 Initiated in 1994.

•	 Frequency: 

Periodic.

School Health Profiles (Profiles)

http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/profiles

•	 Using a system of 

surveys, to assess school 

health policies and 

practices in states, large 

urban school districts, 

and territories.

•	 Monitors the status of 

» School health education 

requirements and content.

» School health policies related 

to HIV infection/AIDS, 

tobacco-use prevention, and 

nutrition. 

» Asthma management 

activities.

» Family and community 

involvement in school health 

programs.

•	 All secondary schools in 

each jurisdiction.

•	 Data collection: States, 

large urban school 

districts, and territories.

•	 Representative 

samples of secondary 

schools that respond 

to self-administered 

questionnaires.

•	 Initiated in 1996.

•	 Frequency: 

Biennially.

Smoking-Attributable Morbidity, Mortality, and Economic Costs (SAMMEC)

https://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/sammec/index.asp

•	 Internet application used 

to calculate the health 

and economic burden 

of smoking for adults 

(Adult SAMMEC) and 

infants (Maternal and 

Child Health [MCH] 

SAMMEC). 

•	 Adult SAMMEC calculates

» Smoking-attributable 

mortality (SAM).

» Years of potential life lost 

(YPLL).

» Direct medical expenditures.

» Indirect productivity costs 

associated with YPLL. 

•	 The MCH SAMMEC calculates 

» SAM.

» YPLL.

» Smoking-attributable infant 

health care costs at delivery.

•	 National and state level 

for Adult SAMMEC, 

national level for MCH 

SAMMEC.

•	 Data collection: Varies 

by data source.

•	 Adults aged 35 

or older (Adult 

SAMMEC) and 

infants aged 1 year 

or younger (MCH 

SAMMEC).

•	 SAMMEC requires 

a minimum 

population of a few 

hundred thousand to 

compute statistically 

valid estimates 

or estimates 

for population 

subgroups. 

•	 SAMMEC is not a 

surveillance tool and 

is not designed for 

cost-effectiveness 

analysis. 

•	 Initiated by CDC 

in 1990.

•	 Frequency: 

Periodic.
9

Table 1. National and State Surveys and Tools

Purpose Topics Addressed Sampling Frame and 

Data Collection Methodology Timing and Frequency

State Tobacco Activities Tracking and Evaluation (STATE) System 

http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/statesystem/Default/Default.aspx

•	 To maintain a data 

warehouse that provides 

comparable measures 

on tobacco use 

prevention and control 

from many different 

types of data sources, 

including legislative 

tracking, agricultural 

and manufacturing, and 

health consequences and 

costs for all 50 states and 

the District of Columbia.

•	 Adult and youth cigarette, cigar, 

pipe, and smokeless tobacco use. 

•	 Smoke-free laws and policies. 

•	 Youth access laws. 

•	 Tobacco excise taxes. 

•	 Smoking-attributable costs.

•	 Advertising restriction laws.

•	 Cigarette sales.

•	 Cessation.

•	 Appropriation and expenditure 

funding.

•	 Quitline state level. 

•	 Varies according to data 

source. 

•	 Data collection: Varies 

by data source.

•	 Varies by data source. •	 Varies by data 

source.

Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey (TUS-CPS) 

http://www.census.gov/cps

•	 To provide a 

comprehensive body of 

data on the employment 

and unemployment 

experience of the US 

population, classified by 

age, sex, race, and other 

characteristics. 

•	 Periodic supplements 

have included tobaccorelated measures.

•	 Periodic measures have included

» Cigarette, pipe, cigar, and 

smokeless tobacco use.

» Age of initiation.

» Secondhand smoke exposure.

» Cessation behavior. 

•	 National and state 

levels. 

•	 People aged 15 or older. 

•	 Data collection: US 

Census Bureau.

•	 Random design, 

household interview 

with telephone 

follow-up. 

•	 1992–1993, 1995–

1996, 1998–1999, 

2000, 2001–2002, 

2003, 2006–2007, 

and 2010–2011.

•	 Frequency: 

Periodic.

Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) 

http://www.cdc.gov/yrbs

•	 To provide data on 

health risk behaviors that 

contribute to leading 

causes of mortality, 

morbidity, and social 

problems among youth 

and adults in the United 

States. 

•	 Cigarette, cigar, and smokeless 

tobacco use. 

•	 Age of initiation. 

•	 Youth access. 

•	 Cessation behavior. 

•	 Alcohol and other drug use.

•	 Sexual behaviors that contribute 

to unintended pregnancy and 

sexually transmitted disease.

•	 Dietary behaviors.

•	 Physical activity.

•	 Behaviors that result in violence 

and unintentional injuries.

•	 National YRBS—all 

public and private school 

students in grades 9–12 

nationwide.

•	 State, territory, large 

urban school district 

YRBSS—public and 

private school students 

in grades 9–12 in the 

jurisdiction.

•	 Data collection: 

» CDC owns the 

national YRBS data. 

» Each state, territory, 

and large urban school 

district owns its 

respective YRBS data.

•	 Schools are selected 

with a probability 

proportional to 

enrollment size.

•	 Classes randomly 

selected from each 

selected school that 

chose to participate.

•	 Self-administered 

paper and pencil 

survey in classroom.

•	 State, territory, and 

district surveys: 

86–89 core questions.

•	 National survey: 

89–92 core questions.

•	 Initiated in 1991.

•	 Frequency: 

Biennially.
10

Table 1. National and State Surveys and Tools

Purpose Topics Addressed Sampling Frame and 

Data Collection Methodology Timing and Frequency

Youth Tobacco Survey (YTS) 

http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/surveys/yts/index.htm

•	 To provide state-level 

data on long-term, 

intermediate, and 

short-term indicators 

key to the design, 

implementation, and 

evaluation of the 

National Tobacco 

Control Program 

(NTCP).

•	 To offer state-level data 

about middle and high 

school youth’s tobaccorelated beliefs, attitudes, 

behaviors, and exposure 

to pro- and antitobacco 

influences.

•	 Health risk perception and 

attitudes.

•	 Tobacco use behaviors (cigarette 

initiation, current cigarette/

cigar/smokeless tobacco/ and 

other tobacco products use).

•	 Peer product usage.

•	 Quit attempts.

•	 Tobacco promotional items.

•	 Antitobacco ads.

•	 Health care advice.

•	 Tobacco in the media.

•	 Secondhand smoke.

•	 Minor access to tobacco.

•	 School curriculum.

•	 Smoking rules in home and 

vehicle.

•	 Experience at home and 

community.

•	 Use of tobacco products for 

people who live with minors.

•	 State, territory, and 

district level.

•	 Youth in grades 6–12.

•	 Data collection: States 

and territories.

•	 Middle schools, high 

schools, or both.

•	 Schools selected 

with a probability 

proportional to 

enrollment size.

•	 Classes randomly 

selected from each 

selected school that 

chose to participate.

•	 Self-administered 

paper and pencil 

survey in classroom.

•	 52 core questions.

•	 State-added 

questions optional.

•	 Initiated in 1998.

•	 Frequency: 

Dependent on 

state interest.
11

Table 2. Registries and Vital Statistics

Purpose Topics Addressed Sampling Frame and 

Data Collection Methodology Timing and Frequency

National Program of Cancer Registries (NPCR)

http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/npcr/about.htm

•	 To collect, manage, 

and analyze data 

about cancer cases 

and cancer deaths. 

•	 Incidence data on 

smoking-related cancers.

•	 Comprehensive, timely, 

and accurate data about 

cancer incidence, stage at 

diagnosis, first course of 

treatment, and deaths. 

•	 State level.

•	 Adults and children.

•	 Data collection: States. 

•	 In each state, medical facilities 

(including hospitals, physicians’ 

offices, therapeutic radiation 

facilities, freestanding surgical 

centers, and pathology 

laboratories) report these data to 

a central cancer registry.

•	 NPCR supports central cancer 

registries in 45 states, the District 

of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the 

US Pacific Island jurisdictions.

•	 Frequency: 

Dependent on 

state.

National Vital Statistics System (NVSS)

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/about_nvss.htm

•	 To provide birth 

certificate data on 

» Tobacco use by 

pregnant women.

» Contribution of 

tobacco to death.

•	 Indicators vary by state. 

•	 International 

Classification of Disease 

codes. 

•	 Smoking 3 months before 

and during pregnancy.

•	 Tobacco use status.

•	 State level.

•	 Women who recently 

gave birth. 

•	 Deceased adults and 

children. 

•	 Data collection: States, 

several territories, and 

a few large cities.

•	 Data collected through contracts 

by NCHS with vital records 

systems operating in the various 

jurisdictions. 

•	 May be used at the sub-state level 

(i.e., counties, health districts). 

•	 Frequency: 

Annually.
12

Table 3. Topic-Specific Tools: Health Systems and Clinical Settings

Purpose Topics Addressed Sampling Frame and Data 

Collection Methodology Timing and Frequency

Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS)

http://www.ncqa.org/HEDISQualityMeasurement/HEDISMeasures.aspx

•	 To provide a set 

of standardized 

performance 

measures designed 

to give purchasers 

and consumers the 

information they 

need to compare 

managed health care 

plans.

•	 To measure 

performance of the 

health care providers 

who advise smokers 

to quit smoking.

•	 Cessation counseling. •	 National level. 

•	 Commercial health plan 

members, Medicaid 

recipients, and Medicare 

recipients. 

•	 Data collection: National 

Committee for Quality 

Assurance.

•	 Commercial health plan 

members, Medicaid 

recipients, and Medicare 

recipients are surveyed. 

•	 The most recent 

data set is 2013. 

•	 Frequency: 

Measurement 

developed yearly.

Hospital Discharge Data 

State health departments’ Web sites.

•	 To provide 

background 

information on 

patients and 

morbidity through 

discharge diagnoses, 

number of days of 

hospitalization, and 

treatment. 

•	 Health effects.

•	 Length of stay. 

•	 Hospital records.

•	 Data collection: States.

•	 Hospital records. •	 Frequency: 

Varies.

National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS)

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/ahcd/about_ahcd.htm#NAMCS

•	 To provide national 

data on the use of 

ambulatory medical 

care services in the 

United States.

•	 Patients’ symptoms.

•	 Expected sources of 

payment.

•	 Physicians’ diagnoses.

•	 Diagnostic and 

screening services.

•	 Health education.

•	 Medications ordered or 

provided.

•	 Tobacco screening.

•	 Tobacco counseling.

•	 National.

•	 Patient records.

•	 Nonfederal employed 

office-based physicians 

who are primarily engaged 

in direct patient care.

•	 Starting in 2012 some 

state-based estimates are 

available.

•	 Data collection: NCHS.

•	 NAMCS uses a 

multistage probability 

design with samples of 

primary sampling units 

(PSU), physicians within 

PSUs, and patient visits 

within practices.

•	 Physician randomly 

assigned to a 1-week 

reporting period.

•	 Data for a systematic 

random sample of visits 

are recorded by the 

physician, physician’s 

office staff, or US Census 

Bureau staff.

•	 Initiated in 1973.

•	 Frequency: 

Annually.
13

Table 3. Topic-Specific Tools: Health Systems and Clinical Settings

Purpose Topics Addressed Sampling Frame and Data 

Collection Methodology Timing and Frequency

National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS)

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/ahcd/about_ahcd.htm#NAMCS

•	 To provide national 

data on the use 

and provision 

of ambulatory 

care services in 

hospital emergency 

and outpatient 

departments and in 

ambulatory surgery 

centers.

•	 Expected sources of 

payment.

•	 Patients’ complaints.

•	 Diagnoses.

•	 Diagnostic/screening 

services.

•	 Procedures.

•	 Medication therapy.

•	 Disposition.

•	 Types of providers seen.

•	 Causes of injury 

(emergency 

departments and 

ambulatory surgery 

centers only).

•	 Tobacco screening 

during hospital 

outpatient visits.

•	 Tobacco counseling 

during hospital 

outpatient visits.

•	 National.

•	 Emergency department, 

outpatient departments, 

and ambulatory surgery 

locations in nonfederal, 

short stay, and general 

hospitals in the United 

States; and free-standing 

ambulatory surgery 

centers.

•	 Patient records.

•	 Data collection: NCHS.

•	 NHAMCS uses a 

four-stage probability 

design with samples of 

primary sampling units 

(PSU), hospitals within 

PSUs, clinics/emergency 

service areas within 

outpatient/emergency 

departments, and patient 

visits within clinics/

emergency service areas.

•	 Systematic random 

sample of patient visits 

during a randomly 

assigned 4-week 

reporting period.

•	 Initiated in 1992.

•	 Frequency: 

Annually.

National Mental Health Services Survey (N-MHSS)

http://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/MHTreatmentLocator/faces/about.jspx

•	 To collect 

information from all 

public and private 

specialty mental 

health facilities that 

provide services. 

•	 To describe 

characteristics and 

composition of 

the mental health 

treatment delivery 

system.

•	 Facility type, operation, 

and primary treatment 

focus. 

•	 Facility treatment 

characteristics such 

as settings of care, 

mental health treatment 

approaches, supportive 

services and practices, 

special programs, 

crisis intervention 

team availability, and 

seclusion and restraint 

practices. 

•	 Facility operating 

characteristics such as 

age groups accepted, 

services provided in 

non-English languages, 

and smoking policy.

•	 Facility management 

characteristics such as 

computer functionality; 

licensure, certification, 

and accreditation; 

standard operating 

procedures; and sources 

of payment and funding.

•	 Client demographic 

characteristics. 

•	 National and state level.

•	 Types of mental health 

treatment facilities 

surveyed in the 2010 

N-MHSS include 

» Psychiatric hospitals.

» Nonfederal general 

hospitals with a separate 

psychiatric unit. 

» VA medical centers.

» Outpatient, day 

treatment, or partial 

hospitalization mental 

health facilities.

» Residential treatment 

centers for children and 

adults.

» Multi-setting multiservice, nonhospital 

mental health facilities.

•	 Data collection: SAMHSA.

•	 N-MHSS is a pointprevalence survey. It 

provides information 

on the mental health 

treatment system and 

its clients as of a preselected reference date.

•	 Provides a “snapshot” of 

mental health treatment 

facilities and clients on 

an average day or month. 

•	 Collects data about 

facilities, not individual 

clients.

•	 Three data collection 

modes: A secure Webbased questionnaire, a 

questionnaire sent by 

mail, and a computerassisted telephone 

interview. 

•	 Starting in 2014, 

biennially.
14

Table 3. Topic-Specific Tools: Health Systems and Clinical Settings

Purpose Topics Addressed Sampling Frame and Data 

Collection Methodology Timing and Frequency

National Quitline Data Warehouse (NQDW)

Look for quitline data under topics at http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/statesystem/Default/Default.aspx

•	 To assist in 

evaluating quitline 

activities.

•	 To serve as a 

continuing national 

resource for data 

on the use, success, 

and services of state 

quitlines. 

•	 Number of callers to 

quitline.

•	 Quitting success.

•	 Services provided by 

their quitlines.

•	 State level.

•	 Data collection: CDC and 

states.

•	 The NQDW collects 

standardized state and 

territory quitline data 

using the following tools: 

» The NQDW Quitline 

Services Online 

Survey.

» The NQDW Intake 

Questionnaire.

» The NQDW 

7-Month Follow-Up 

Questionnaire.

•	 Initiated in 2010.

•	 Frequency: 

Ongoing.

National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services (N-SSATS)

http://wwwdasis.samhsa.gov/dasis2/nssats.htm

•	 To collect 

information from all 

public and private 

facilities that provide 

substance abuse 

treatment.

•	 To assist with 

assessment of 

services provided 

in state-supported 

and other substance 

abuse treatment 

facilities. 

•	 To forecast 

substance abuse 

treatment resource 

requirements.

•	 Alcohol and drug abuse 

treatment facilities and 

services.

•	 Assessment and 

pre-treatment 

services, counseling, 

pharmacotherapies, 

testing, transitional 

services, and ancillary 

services.

•	 Screening for substance 

abuse.

•	 Screening for mental 

health disorders.

•	 Screening for tobacco 

use.

•	 Smoking cessation 

counseling, including 

pharmacotherapies such 

as nicotine replacement, 

bupropion, and 

varenicline.

•	 Facility’s smoking 

policy.

•	 All public and private 

facilities in the 50 states, 

the District of Columbia, 

and other US jurisdictions 

that provide substance 

abuse treatment.

•	 National and state level.

•	 Data collection: SAMHSA. 

•	 Three data collection 

modes: A secure Webbased questionnaire, a 

questionnaire sent by 

mail, and a telephone 

interview. 

•	 For the 2011 survey, the 

field period was March 

31–October 24.

•	 N-SSATS is a pointprevalence survey. It 

provides information 

on the substance abuse 

treatment system and 

its clients as of a preselected reference date.

•	 Number of questions 

may vary. 41 questions 

in 2011.

•	 Before 2014, 

annually.

•	 Starting in 2014, 

biennially.
15

Table 4. Topic-Specific Tools: Sales Data

Purpose Topics Addressed Sampling Frame and 

Data Collection Methodology Timing and Frequency

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 

Compliance checks:

http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/oce/inspections/oce_insp_searching.cfm

•	 To provide data on retailers 

that complied with the 

prohibition of the sale of 

tobacco products to minors. 

•	 Ability of minors to 

purchase tobacco products. 

•	 National and state 

levels. 

•	 Local tobacco 

retailers. 

•	 Random, unannounced 

visits by state or local 

officials authorized by 

the FDA. 

•	 Methodology may vary 

by state. 

•	 May vary by 

state.

•	 Frequency: 

Ongoing.

Information Resources, Inc. (IRI), formerly SymphonyIRI Group, Inc.

http://www.iriworldwide.com/

•	 To provide consumer, 

shopper, and retail market 

intelligence and analysis 

focused on the consumer 

packaged goods industry.

•	 Retail tracking data, 

convenience store tracking 

data, and consumer panelbased data.

•	 Predictive analytics.

•	 Offers Infoscan tracking 

service and Allscan 

convenience store tracking.

•	 Available in 58 countries.

•	 National level.

•	 Data collection: 

User. 

•	 Proprietary.

•	 User dependent.

•	 User dependent.

Scanner Data

For example:

http://nielsen.com/us/en.html

•	 To provide market data 

on tobacco sales using 

Universal Product Code 

(UPC) numbers.

•	 Dollar sales. 

•	 Unit sales. 

•	 Volume sales. 

•	 Sales share. 

•	 Average selling price. 

•	 Average promoted price. 

•	 Average list price.

•	 Percentage of stores selling 

each product.

•	 State or local level. •	 Retailers using UPC 

scanners.

•	 Varies, but 

typically 

available 

quarterly.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) 

Compliance checks:

ttp://www.fda.gov/downloads/TobaccoProducts/NewsEvents/UCM284343.pdf

•	 To provide data on tobacco 

sales to minors through 

unannounced, annual 

inspections (includes 

location of establishments).

•	 This monitoring research 

was authorized through the 

Synar Legislation, which 

mandated the reduction of 

tobacco sales to minors.

•	 Ability of minors to 

purchase tobacco products.

•	 State and local 

levels.

•	 Tobacco retailers.

•	 Random design. 

•	 Unannounced visits. 

•	 Methodology may vary 

by state.

•	 Frequency: 

Varies.

Tax Revenue Data 

State departments of revenue.

•	 To provide sales information 

on tobacco products. 

•	 Sales (number of cigarette 

packs, cartons, and pounds 

of tobacco) per capita for 

cigarettes and smokeless 

tobacco. 

•	 State level. 

•	 Wholesalers and 

distributors. 

•	 Receipts collected 

monthly. 

•	 Usually begins the first 

year a state collects 

tobacco excise tax. 

•	 Frequency: 

Varies.
16

Table 5. Topic-Specific Tools: National, State, and Local Policy Tracking

Purpose Topics Addressed Sampling Frame and 

Data Collection Methodology Timing and Frequency

ACTIVE Life Tobacco Free Worksite Survey

http://www.activelifehq.org/workplace-tobacco-cessation

Worksite sample survey available at: 

http://www.activelifehq.org/sites/default/files/Sample%20Tobacco%20Free%20Worksite%20Survey.pdf

•	 To gauge employee 

behaviors, attitudes, 

and opinions related to 

tobacco-free workplace 

policies.

•	 Employee use of tobacco 

products.

•	 Employee support for 

worksite tobacco policy.

•	 Employee tobacco quitting 

behavior.

•	 User dependent.

•	 Data collection: User.

•	 Census of worksite 

employees.

•	 Self-administered.

•	 13 questions.

•	 User dependent.

American College Health Association (ACHA) College Campus Tobacco Cessation and Prevention Survey

http://www.acha-ncha.org/overview.html

•	 To track changes in 

health issues and trends 

among college students 

in order to

» Address their health 

concerns.

» Adequately 

identify factors 

affecting academic 

performance.

» Respond to questions 

and concerns about 

the health of the 

nation’s students.

» Improve the health 

and welfare of those 

students.

•	 Students’ health habits, 

behaviors, and perceptions 

in relation to

» Alcohol, tobacco, and 

other drug use.

» Sexual health.

» Weight, nutrition, and 

exercise.

» Mental health.

» Personal safety and 

violence.

•	 College students.

•	 Data collection: User.

•	 Randomly selected 

class rooms or students.

•	 Self-administered 

questionnaire.

•	 66 questions.

•	 Initiated in 2000.

•	 Frequency: 

Annually.

American Lung Association’s (ALA) 

State Legislated Actions on Tobacco Issues (SLATI)

http://www.lungusa2.org/slati/

•	 To provide 

comprehensive and 

up-to-date information 

on state tobacco control 

laws and policies.

•	 Restrictions on smoking 

in public places and 

workplaces.

•	 Smoke-free laws and 

policies.

•	 Tobacco taxes.

•	 Tobacco control laws.

•	 Tobacco cessation and 

prevention program 

funding.

•	 All 50 states and the 

District of Columbia.

•	 Data collection: ALA, 

made available publicly.

•	 All 50 states. •	 Frequency: 

Ongoing.
17

Table 5. Topic-Specific Tools: National, State, and Local Policy Tracking

Purpose Topics Addressed Sampling Frame and 

Data Collection Methodology Timing and Frequency

American Nonsmokers’ Rights (ANR ) Foundation: US Tobacco Control Laws Database

http://www.no-smoke.org/goingsmokefree.php?id=519

•	 To provide a 

comprehensive 

collection of state and 

local laws.

•	 Smoke-free laws.

•	 Restrictions on youth 

access to tobacco.

•	 Tobacco advertising and 

promotion restrictions.

•	 Tobacco excise taxes.

•	 Conditional use permits.

•	 All 50 states, District 

of Columbia, and US 

territories.

•	 Data collection: ANR 

Foundation, and made 

available publicly. 

•	 All 50 states, District 

of Columbia, and US 

territories.

•	 Mail solicitations; 

monitoring news 

services; advocates, 

colleagues, and elected 

officials; members.

•	 Frequency: 

Updated quarterly.

California Student Tobacco Survey (CSTS)

http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/tobacco/Pages/CTCPEvaluationResources.aspx

•	 To survey students 

about health-related 

behaviors and attitudes.

•	 Large-scale, in-school 

student survey of tobacco 

use among middle- 

(grades 6–8) and highschool (grades 9–12) 

students. 

•	 California middle- and 

high-school students.

•	 Data collection: 

California Department 

of Public Health.

•	 Stratification by 12 

regions in California, 

with sample sizes 

that allow for the 

calculation of regional 

and some individual 

county estimates.

•	 Self-administered 

questionnaire.

•	 99 questions.

•	 Initiated in 2007.

•	 Frequency: 

Biennially.

California Tobacco Use Prevention Education Evaluation: Teacher Survey

http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/tobacco/Documents/CTCPTupeReport05-06.pdf

•	 To assess school-based 

tobacco use prevention 

activities.

•	 Teachers’ attitudes, 

beliefs, and knowledge 

about tobacco education 

program implementation 

and prevention efforts and 

policies at their schools, 

and about their personal 

tobacco-related attitudes 

and behaviors.

•	 191 randomly 

sampled California 

middle schools, plus 

57 high schools that 

participated in the 

2003–2004 survey.

•	 Data collection: 

California Department 

of Public Health.

•	 Stratification by 12 

regions in California, 

with sample sizes 

that allow for the 

calculation of regional 

and some individual 

county estimates.

•	 Self-administered 

questionnaire.

•	 57 questions.

•	 Initiated in 1995.

•	 Frequency: 

Biennially.
18

Table 5. Topic-Specific Tools: National, State, and Local Policy Tracking

Purpose Topics Addressed Sampling Frame and 

Data Collection Methodology Timing and Frequency

CDC School Health Profiles (Profiles)

http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/profiles/index.htm

•	 To provide a system of 

surveys assessing school 

health policies and 

practices in states, large 

urban school districts, 

territories, and tribal 

governments.

•	 Monitors the status of 

» School health education 

requirements and 

content.

» Physical education 

requirements.

» School health 

policies related to 

HIV infection/AIDS, 

tobacco-use prevention, 

and nutrition. 

» Asthma management 

activities.

» Family and community 

involvement in school 

health programs.

•	 Middle- and highschool principals and 

lead health education 

teachers.

•	 Data collection: CDC.

•	 Random sample of 

secondary schools in 

a state, large urban 

school district, 

territory, or tribal 

government. 

•	 Self-administered 

questionnaire.

•	 Principals’ 

questionnaire: 51 

questions; lead health 

education teachers’ 

questionnaire: 24 

questions.

•	 Initiated in 1996.

•	 Frequency: 

Biennially.

Worksite and Restaurant Smoking Policy Questionnaires and Guide

http://www.uwex.edu/ces/tobaccoeval/restaurantsurveys.html

•	 To provide guidance 

and sample worksite 

and restaurant policy 

questionnaires.

•	 Institution characteristics.

•	 Presence of and 

compliance with policy.

•	 Employee attitudes 

towards secondhand 

smoke.

•	 State, regional, or 

community restaurants 

or worksites.

•	 Data collection: State, 

region, or community.

•	 Either sampling or 

census depending on 

availability of resources 

and purpose of data 

collection.

•	 Telephone or mail 

survey.

•	 Restaurant survey: 26 

questions. 

•	 Worksite survey: 32 

questions.

•	 Dependent on 

state, region, or 

community needs.
19

Table 6. Topic Specific Tools: Media Tracking

Purpose Topics Addressed Sampling Frame and 

Data Collection Methodology Timing and Frequency

Adobe SiteCatalyst (previously known as Omniture)

•	 To provide 

actionable, real-time 

Web analytics.

•	 Identify the most profitable 

paths through a Web site.

•	 Segment traffic to spot 

high-value Web visitors. 

•	 Determine where visitors 

are navigating away from 

the site.

•	 Identify critical success 

metrics for online 

marketing campaigns.

•	 Web sites.

•	 Data collection: 

User.

•	 Collects data on all user 

YouTube video viewers.

•	 Processes information 

collected automatically.

•	 User dependent.

Arbitron

•	 To provide data on 

which radio stations 

have the largest 

reach for a target 

population.

•	 If requested, to target 

media campaign 

activities and 

estimate reach.

•	 Time of day.

•	 Amount of time listened.

•	 Specific geographical 

locations.

•	 Listener demographics.

•	 Based on countylevel metropolitan 

markets.

•	 Data collection: 

User.

•	 Has random design.

•	 Uses mail diary.

•	 Ongoing since 1950s.

•	 Frequency:

» The biggest 

metropolitan 

markets are 

surveyed four 

times a year.

» Smaller markets 

are surveyed twice 

a year.

Cision

•	 To provide media 

monitoring and 

analytics for TV, 

radio, social, and 

online media. 

•	 Measures collected depend 

on user needs.

•	 Audiences for user’s 

TV, radio, social, 

and online media.

•	 Data collection: 

User.

•	 Collects data on all user 

media audiences.

•	 Processes information 

collected automatically.

•	 User dependent.

Clicktracks Optimizer

•	 To provide Web site 

analytics.

•	 The Robot Report provides 

insights into Robot and 

Spider behavior on user’s 

Web site.

•	 Provides integrated e-mail 

tracking to track e-mail 

campaigns from the clickthrough to the checkout.

•	 Generates and exports 

targeted mailing lists based 

on label criteria, then 

imports them into the 

e-mail marketing system.

•	 User Web site.

•	 Data collection: 

User.

•	 Collects data on all user 

Web site visitors.

•	 Information is collected 

automatically.

•	 User dependent.
20

Table 6. Topic Specific Tools: Media Tracking

Purpose Topics Addressed Sampling Frame and 

Data Collection Methodology Timing and Frequency

DataSift

•	 To help organizations 

improve their 

understanding and 

use of social media.

•	 Focused on 

producing state-ofthe-art data-filtering 

technology and 

driving innovation in 

big data.

•	 User dependent. •	 Data collection: 

User.

•	 Filters, sorts, and reports 

data from Facebook, 

Google+ Business, Twitter, 

YouTube, Instagram, 

bitly, NewsCred, Amazon, 

reddit, Flickr, Wikipedia, 

DailyMotion, topix, 

IMDb, Japanese textboard 

2channel, videos, and a 

wide variety of blogs and 

message boards.

•	 Provides trends from 

2+ years of Twitter 

history, gender, Klout 

score, sentiment 

analysis, language 

detection, salience topics, 

entity analysis, and 

demographics.

•	 User dependent.

Facebook Insights 

•	 To provide Facebook 

platform developers 

and Facebook page 

owners with metrics 

(user growth and 

demographics, 

consumption of 

content, and creation 

of content) about 

their content.

•	 User dependent. •	 User Facebook page 

viewers.

•	 Data collection: 

User.

•	 Collects data on all 

visitors to user Facebook 

page.

•	 Processes information 

collected automatically 

from Web site.

•	 User dependent.

Gnip

•	 To provide access 

to raw social media 

data using both 

firehose and filtered 

streams from dozens 

of sources.

•	 User dependent. •	 Data collection: 

User.

•	 Collects data on 

keyword, username, and 

firehose streams (when 

available) from the 

following sources: bitly, 

DailyMotion, Delicious, 

Disqus, Facebook, Flickr, 

Google+, identi.ca, 

Instagram, IntenseDebate, 

Metacafe, NewsGator, 

Panoramio, Photobucket, 

Plurk, reddit, Stack 

Overflow, StockTwits, 

Tumblr, Twitter, vimeo, 

WordPress, and YouTube.

•	 User dependent.
21

Table 6. Topic Specific Tools: Media Tracking

Purpose Topics Addressed Sampling Frame and 

Data Collection Methodology Timing and Frequency

Google Analytics

•	 To collect data on 

the behavior of the 

visitors to a Web site.

•	 Number of Web site 

visitors.

•	 Number of repeat visitors 

to a Web site.

•	 Referring traffic sources.

•	 Pages viewed.

•	 Geographic location of 

visitors.

•	 Option to customize 

reporting. 

•	 User Web site.

•	 Data collection: 

User.

•	 Collects data on all 

visitors to user’s Web site.

•	 Processes information 

collected automatically 

from Web site.

•	 User dependent.

HootSuite

•	 To provide social 

media management 

using analytic tools 

and customizable 

reports.

•	 To communicate the 

volume, visibility, 

and perception of 

social initiatives.

•	 User dependent. •	 Data collection: 

User.

•	 Collects comprehensive 

data using Facebook 

insights, Google analytics, 

Twitter profile stats, 

Ow.ly click stats, Google+ 

pages analytics, and 

organization analytics.

•	 User dependent.

Legacy Media Tracking Survey (LMTS) and Legacy Media Tracking Online (LMTO)

http://staging.legacyforhealth.org/2141.aspx

•	 To guide the 

American Legacy 

Foundation 

campaign’s 

evolution and 

provide important 

information 

about the media 

environment in 

which truth® and 

other Legacy 

initiatives operate.

•	 Levels of youth awareness 

of other antitobacco 

ads, campaigns, and 

organizations.

•	 Awareness of pro-tobacco 

advertising and other protobacco influences.

•	 General levels of exposure 

to broadcast media.

•	 Youth’s tobacco-related 

beliefs, attitudes, and 

behaviors.

•	 Nationally 

representative 

samples of youth 

aged 12–17 and 

young adults aged 

18–24.

•	 Data collection: 

American Legacy 

Foundation. 

•	 Sampling varies by survey 

execution. For the 9th 

data collection, about 

50% of respondents were 

drawn from listed samples 

while the remaining 

50% were drawn from 

a random-digit-dialed 

telephone sample.

•	 Starting in 2005, an online 

survey was used.

•	 239 questions. 

•	 Fall 1999 and selected 

dates through 2004. 

•	 Frequency: 

Biennually 

since 2005.

LexisNexis

•	 To track media 

coverage on brand, 

issues, news stories, 

politics, and political 

candidates.

•	 User centered. •	 Available media. 

•	 Track media 

coverage on brand, 

issues, news stories, 

politics, and 

political candidates.

•	 Analyze media 

datasets with easyto-read graphs and 

charts based on 

criteria important 

to user.

•	 Data collection: 

User.

•	 All user media audiences.

•	 Process information 

collected automatically.

•	 User dependent.
22

Table 6. Topic Specific Tools: Media Tracking

Purpose Topics Addressed Sampling Frame and 

Data Collection Methodology Timing and Frequency

Nielsen

•	 To collect and report 

on purchasing 

and media use 

information. 

•	 To study consumers 

in more than 100 

countries and 

provide trends and 

habits worldwide. 

•	 Purchasing and media 

exposure data.

•	 Panelists selected 

according to 

company standards.

•	 Data collection: 

User.

•	 Subjects for specific 

inquiries are dependent 

on user needs.

•	 Survey delivery generally 

through online media. 

•	 Number of questions 

dependent on panel. 

•	 Doing various types 

of market research 

since 1923.

Pinterest

•	 To provide data on 

what people are 

pinning from user’s 

Web site and how 

many people are 

pinning, seeing, and 

clicking on it.

•	 Number of people pinning 

from user Web site.

•	 Number of people seeing 

user pins.

•	 Number of people clicking 

on user content. 

•	 Specific timeframe.

•	 User Web site. 

•	 Data collection: 

User.

•	 Collects data on all 

visitors to user Web site.

•	 Processes information 

collected automatically 

from Web site.

•	 User dependent.

Radian6

•	 To deploy and 

monitor content on 

social networks, Web 

sites, and mobile 

devices.

•	 Measures everything from 

campaigns to conversions.

•	 Gains insight into all social 

ad campaign metrics.

•	 User social 

networks, Web sites, 

and mobile devices.

•	 Data collection: 

User. 

•	 Collects data on all 

visitors to user social 

networks, Web sites, and 

mobile devices.

•	 Processes information 

collected automatically 

from Web site.

•	 User dependent.

Sysomos

•	 To provide social 

media monitoring 

and analytics.

•	 Measures collected are user 

dependent.

•	 Consumers of user’s 

social media.

•	 Data collection: 

User.

•	 Collects data on all user 

social media users.

•	 Processes information 

collected automatically.

•	 User dependent.

Topsy

•	 To provide instant 

social insight.

•	 To count, index, and 

enrich Twitter and 

social Web data in 

real time.

•	 User dependent. •	 Data collection: 

User.

•	 With an index of the 

public social web, 

instantly analyzes any 

topic, term, hashtag, 

or @-name in real 

time or across years of 

conversations.

•	 Provides social media 

reach, sentiment scores, 

and geo-locations.

•	 User dependent.
23

Table 6. Topic Specific Tools: Media Tracking

Purpose Topics Addressed Sampling Frame and 

Data Collection Methodology Timing and Frequency

Webalyzer

•	 To produce software 

that generates a Web 

log analysis report.

•	 Analyzes Web site traffic, 

including hits, visits, visitor, 

users’ IP addresses, URL 

paths, processing times, 

user agents, and referrers, 

and groups them to 

produce HTML reports.

•	 User Web site.

•	 Data collection: 

User.

•	 Collects data on all user 

Web site visitors.

•	 Collects information 

automatically.

•	 User dependent.

YouTube Analytics

•	 To produce a selfservice tool that 

provides detailed 

statistics on videos 

and viewers.

•	 Viewership.

•	 Subscribers.

•	 Watch-time or time 

watched.

•	 Audience retention.

•	 Traffic sources.

•	 Annotations.

•	 Community actions.

•	 Demographics and 

geographics.

•	 User YouTube video 

viewers.

•	 Data collection: 

User. 

•	 Collects data on all 

visitors to user YouTube 

videos.

•	 Processes information 

collected automatically 

from Web site. 

•	 User dependent.
24

Table 7. Topic-Specific Tools: Tobacco Industry Monitoring

Purpose Topics Addressed Sampling Frame and 

Data Collection Methodology Timing and Frequency

New Product Watch, 

funded by Tobacco Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Evaluation Network of the National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Site is restricted to participants in New Product Watch.

•	 To monitor the 

availability of new oral 

tobacco products, and 

the marketing strategies 

being used by the tobacco 

industry to advertise, 

promote, and market 

these new products.

•	 The availability of new oral 

tobacco products.

•	 The marketing strategies 

used by the tobacco 

industry to advertise, 

promote, and market new 

products.

•	 National sample.

•	 Data collection: NCI 

and made available 

publically.

•	 Convenience sample 

selected by volunteer 

participants.

•	 Web-based network. 

•	 Initiated in 

2004. 

•	 Frequency: 

Ongoing.

Project SMART Money of the California Department of Public Health 

Contact the California Tobacco Control Program for further information at (916) 449-5500.

•	 To provide data on events 

sponsored by tobacco 

companies.

•	 Tobacco company 

sponsorship.

•	 California state 

sample.

•	 Data collection: 

California 

Department of 

Public Health.

•	 Data collection 

instruments and protocols 

are available.

•	 No longer 

active.

Retail Advertising Tobacco Survey (RATS)

http://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/tobacco_control/reports_brochures_fact-sheets.htm

•	 To describe the extent of 

tobacco advertising and 

promotion activities in 

New York state.

•	 Level of tobacco advertising 

and promotional activities 

in licensed tobacco retail 

stores.

•	 New York statelicensed tobacco 

retail stores.

•	 Data collection: 

New York state.

•	 Stratified random sample.

•	 On-site audit.

•	 Trained data collectors 

record the number and 

placement of tobacco 

advertising and price 

promotions.

•	 Initiated in 

2004.

•	 Frequency: 

Annually.

University of California at San Francisco (UCSF) Tobacco Control Archives

http://www.library.ucsf.edu/tobacco

•	 To provide an archive 

of historical tobacco 

documents.

•	 Collections, including 

Legacy Tobacco Documents 

Library, paper and media 

collections, tobacco 

litigation documents.

•	 Resources, including 

research into tobacco 

industry activity, tobacco 

documents bibliography, 

and history of smoking 

bibliography.

•	 Data collection: 

UCSF Library 

and Center for 

Knowledge 

Management.

•	 Not applicable. •	 Not applicable.
25

Table 8. Global Surveys and Tools

Purpose Topics Addressed Sampling Frame 

and Data Collection Methodology Timing and Frequency

Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS)

http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/global/index.htm

•	 To systematically 

monitor adult tobacco 

use and track key 

tobacco control 

indicators.

•	 To enhance countries’ 

capacities to design, 

implement, and 

evaluate tobacco control 

interventions.

•	 To generate comparable 

data within and across 

countries.

•	 To track WHO 

Framework Convention 

on Tobacco Control 

and WHO MPOWER 

strategies.

•	 Tobacco use (smoking and 

smokeless).

•	 Cessation.

•	 Secondhand smoke.

•	 Economics.

•	 Media. 

•	 Knowledge, attitudes, and 

perceptions.

•	 Subjects: Adults 

aged 15 years or 

older.

•	 Nationally 

representative 

household survey.

•	 Conducted in 33 

countries.

•	 Data collection: 

Country.

•	 Multistage, geographically 

clustered sample.

•	 One individual aged 15 

years or older randomly 

selected from each 

participating household.

•	 Survey information 

collected electronically 

using handheld devices in 

a face-to-face interview.

•	 88 core questions.

•	 Initiated in 2007.

•	 Frequency: 

Countries are 

encouraged to 

repeat the survey 

every 4–5 years.

Global School Personnel Survey (GSPS)

http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/global/index.htm

•	 To collect information on 

tobacco use, knowledge, 

and attitudes of school 

personnel toward 

tobacco, existence and 

effectiveness of tobacco 

control policies in 

schools, and training and 

materials available for 

implementing tobacco 

prevention and control 

interventions.

•	 Tobacco use.

•	 Knowledge and attitudes.

•	 School policy and 

curriculum.

•	 School curriculum.

•	 Subjects: All 

school personnel 

in schools selected 

for Global Youth 

Tobacco Survey.

•	 Conducted in 103 

countries.

•	 Data collection: 

Country.

•	 All schools selected for 

Global Youth Tobacco 

Survey; participation is 

voluntary. 

•	 All school personnel 

in selected schools are 

eligible to participate.

•	 Confidential, selfadministered 

questionnaire.

•	 45 core questions.

•	 Initiated in 2000.

•	 Implemented 

from 2000–2011 

(discontinued).

•	 Frequency: 

Countries are 

encouraged to 

repeat the survey 

every 4–5 years.

Global Health Professions Student Survey (GHPSS)

http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/global/index.htm

•	 To collect data on 

tobacco use and 

cessation counseling 

among health 

professional students. 

•	 Tobacco use. 

•	 Exposure to secondhand 

smoke.

•	 Attitudes.

•	 Behavior/cessation.

•	 Curriculum/training.

•	 Subjects: Thirdyear students 

pursuing 

advanced degrees 

in dentistry, 

medicine, nursing, 

or pharmacy.

•	 Conducted in 94 

countries.

•	 Data collection: 

Country.

•	 Multistage sample design: 

Schools selected with 

probability proportional to 

enrollment size.

•	 Classrooms chosen 

randomly within selected 

schools. 

•	 Or, census of schools and 

students in countries with 

few health professional 

schools.

•	 All students in selected 

classes eligible to 

participate.

•	 Confidential, selfadministered 

questionnaire.

•	 42 core questions.

•	 Initiated in 2005.

•	 Implemented 

from 2005–2011 

(discontinued).

•	 Frequency: 

Countries are 

encouraged to 

repeat the survey 

every 4–5 years.
26

Table 8. Global Surveys and Tools

Purpose Topics Addressed Sampling Frame 

and Data Collection Methodology Timing and Frequency

Global School-Based Student Health Survey (GSHS)

http://www.cdc.gov/gshs/

•	 To help countries 

develop priorities, 

establish programs, and 

advocate for resources 

to aid school health and 

youth health programs 

and policies.

•	 To allow for comparisons 

across countries 

regarding the prevalence 

of health behaviors and 

protective factors.

•	 To establish trends 

in the prevalence of 

health behaviors and 

protective factors for use 

in evaluation of school 

health and youth health 

promotion.

•	 Alcohol use.

•	 Dietary behaviors.

•	 Drug use.

•	 Hygiene.

•	 Mental health.

•	 Physical activity.

•	 Protective factors.

•	 Sexual behaviors.

•	 Tobacco use.

•	 Violence and 

unintentional injury.

•	 Subjects: Students 

aged 13–17 years. 

•	 Conducted in 86 

countries.

•	 Data collection: 

Country.

•	 Multistage sample design: 

Schools selected with 

probability proportional to 

enrollment size.

•	 Classrooms chosen 

randomly within selected 

schools.

•	 All students in selected 

classes eligible for 

participation.

•	 Confidential, selfadministered 

questionnaire.

•	 58 core questions.

•	 Initiated in 2003.

•	 Frequency: 

Countries are 

encouraged to 

repeat the survey 

every 4–5 years.

Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS)

http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/global/index.htm

•	 To systematically 

monitor youth 

tobacco use and track 

key tobacco control 

indicators.

•	 To enhance countries’ 

capacities to design, 

implement, and 

evaluate tobacco control 

interventions.

•	 To generate comparable 

data within and across 

countries.

•	 To track WHO 

Framework Convention 

on Tobacco Control 

and WHO MPOWER 

strategies.

•	 Tobacco use.

•	 Cessation.

•	 Secondhand smoke.

•	 Economics.

•	 Media.

•	 Knowledge, attitudes, and 

perceptions.

•	 Subjects: Students 

aged 13–15 years.

•	 Nationally 

representative 

school-based 

survey.

•	 Conducted in over 

180 countries.

•	 76 countries 

implementing 

revised GYTS 

protocol in 

2012–2014.

•	 Data collection: 

Country.

•	 Multistage sample design: 

Schools selected with 

probability proportional to 

enrollment size.

•	 Classrooms chosen 

randomly within selected 

schools.

•	 All students in selected 

classes eligible for 

participation.

•	 Confidential, selfadministered 

questionnaire.

•	 43 core questions.

•	 Initiated in 1999.

•	 Frequency: 

Countries are 

encouraged to 

repeat the survey 

every 4–5 years.
27

Abbreviations

ACHA American College Health Association 

AI ATS American Indian Adult Tobacco Survey 

AN ATS Alaska Native Adult Tobacco Survey 

ANRA American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation 

ATS Adult Tobacco Survey 

BRFSS Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System 

CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

CSTS California Student Tobacco Survey 

FDA Food and Drug Administration 

GATS Global Adult Tobacco Survey 

GHPSS Global Health Professions Student Survey 

GSHS Global School-Based Student Health Survey 

GSPS Global School Personnel Survey 

GYTS Global Youth Tobacco Survey 

H/L ATS Hispanic/Latino Adult Tobacco Survey Guide 

HEDIS Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set 

LMTO Legacy Media Tracking Online 

LMTS Legacy Media Tracking Survey 

MCH SAMMEC Maternal and Child Health Smoking-Attributable Morbidity, Mortality, and Economic Costs

MTF Monitoring the Future 

NAMCS National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey 

NATS National Adult Tobacco Survey 

NCHS National Center for Health Statistics 

NCI National Cancer Institute

NHAMCS National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey 

NHANES National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 

NHIS National Health Interview Survey 

NHSDA National Household Survey on Drug Abuse 

N-SSATS National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services

NPCR National Program of Cancer Registries 

NQDW National Quitline Data Warehouse 

NSDUH National Survey on Drug Use and Health 

N-MHSS National Mental Health Services Survey

NTCP National Tobacco Control Program 

NVSS National Vital Statistics System 

NYTS National Youth Tobacco Survey 

PRAMS Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System 

Profiles CDC School Health Profiles 

RATS Retail Advertising Tobacco Survey 

SAM Smoking-Attributable Mortality

SAMHSA Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 

SAMMEC Smoking-Attributable Morbidity, Mortality, and Economic Costs 

SHPPS School Health Policies and Practices Study 

SLATI State Legislated Actions on Tobacco Issues 

STATE State Tobacco Activities Tracking and Evaluation (System)

TSEEN Tobacco Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Evaluation Network 

TUS-CPS Tobacco Use Supplement-Current Population Survey 

UCSF University of California at San Francisco

YPLL Years of potential life lost

YRBSS Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System 

YTS Youth Tobacco Survey 
28

CS245820-B